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She started working with Raj Salhotra, 27, who serves as president of the Young Hindus of Greater Houston. He jumped at the opportunity to get involved.

“It was a unique blend,” he said. “Not only was the religious piece important, but the social aspect of getting people together was as well. It’s an opportunity to get people thinking about similar issues and to focus on how we can build more cohesion.”

Salhotra was already an active member at his temple, Arya Samaj of Greater Houston, and taught Sunday school classes there. Still, he recognized that younger Hindus in the city were not as connected as his parents and their friends.

“That’s the biggest change from the previous generation,” he said. “Everyone just came from India, and they were hanging out all the time. There was a greater connection.”

His age group seems less connected to religious organizations, Salhotra added. “With my generation, there’s a lot more assimilation and less of a feeling that we have to hang out with other Indians and Hindus,” he said.

Still, his peers are interested in socializing, focusing on service and leadership opportunities, Salhotra said.

One of those opportunities for the Young Hindus of Greater Houston is Diwali.

Commonly known as the “Festival of Lights,” Diwali is celebrated by Hindus worlwide through family and public prayers and socializing with friends and neighbors. Preparations typically begin a month in advance with a thorough cleaning of houses. Diwali, which this year is Nov. 7, honors the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance.

The annual Diwali-Dussehra Festival, held Saturday at Skeeter’s Stadium, in Sugar Land, united Hindus across Houston, celebrating Indian culture and traditional food, dance and music. Dussehra is the holiday marking the triumph of Rama, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu, over the demon king Ravana, who abducted Rama’s wife.

Various activities planned for the day included presentations from Folk Dance Ensemble, historical plays, a bridal fusion show and sampling of cuisines from different parts of India. The Young Hindus of Greater Houston volunteered to participate in the Dussehra Parade which was comprised of 50 floats depicting historic occasions.

Salhotra and Luthra began collaborating last February, meeting throughout the spring to develop the council’s vision and goals.

“We started working together, and talking to our friends,” Luthra said. “Then they contacted their friends, and now we have a board.”

By the summer, they recruited 10 board members, and Luthra said that she is looking forward to seeing the group grow.

“It’s a great way to meet people,” she said. “Some of us start to lose touch with our culture, just being busy with academics and careers. This is a great way to reconnect with shared values and beliefs and to better ourselves through leadership activities and community service.”

She added that young Hindu adults can use the council as a way to get back to their roots and to create a sense of community.

“Our plan is to have one event per month,” Salhotra said. “We’re kicking off in October with a social meeting.”

There will also be discussion forums, professional panels and educational events on the group’s calendar.

“We want to make sure we’re not just focusing on the religious aspect but on other issues we face as young adults,” Luthra said.

Salhotra hopes to see membership grow quickly and for members to feel more connected to the Hindu community and each other.

“And most importantly, we can do some good,” he said.

He and Luthra plan to get the group together to volunteer with local organizations like Meals on Wheels and the Food Bank, as well as focusing on mentorship opportunities.

“The biggest thing is to make an impact,” Salhotra said.

Pallod is convinced that the young Hindu adults can make a major difference. “There are 125,000 Hindus in Houston,” he said. “There are a lot of youth interested in working together and volunteering.”

Pallod said the council can help smaller temples in the area build youth activities. He added that there is no fee to become a member of the group. “Anyone can join,” he said.

Devinder Mahajan, chairman of the board of advisors for the Hindus of Greater Houston, added that young Hindus need a space to connect.

“We want our youth to have the best of both worlds,” he said. “There’s a lot in our culture about doing good deeds, working with others and serving society. There are also values that the Western world provides, like independence. They can learn the best practices from both.”

He believes the organization will provide a space for young Hindu adults to blossom.

“The younger generation is sometimes caught between cultures,” Mahajan said. “This way they are not lost. And hopefully they will become model citizens. The youth have their own experiences, and they have a lot to offer to future generations.”

Luthra would like to see the idea of groups similar to Young Hindus of Greater Houston take off in other cities.

“Maybe this could be something at a national level, and Hindu youth could come together across the country,” she said. “I hope to inspire other cities to do this. I hope to not just have an impact locally but create something that can grow across the country.”